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France Faces New Heatwave as Temperatures Soar After Record June
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Disasters & Emergencies

France Faces New Heatwave as Temperatures Soar After Record June

From Le Temps · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • France is experiencing a new heatwave, with several southern departments under orange alert for high temperatures.
  • Temperatures are expected to reach 35-37°C, with potential peaks of 38-40°C in some areas.
  • This follows a historically hot June that caused excess mortality across Europe and heightened wildfire risks.

France is bracing for another wave of intense heat, with several southern departments placed under orange alert for a heatwave starting midday. Météo-France forecasts that the high temperatures will spread to the southwest by the afternoon, with maximums ranging between 35 and 37 degrees Celsius, and possibly reaching 38 to 40 degrees Celsius in certain locations.

The very high heat is gaining ground in the Southwest, with maximum temperatures rising between 35 and 37°C, and with peaks of 38/40°C in places.

— Météo-FranceThe national weather service forecasts the spread and intensity of the new heatwave.

The heat is expected to move northward on Monday, potentially leading to an expansion of the orange heatwave alert to more departments. While meteorologists note that these temperatures are slightly lower than those experienced during the previous, record-breaking heatwave, the current episode could last until the following weekend.

The temperatures are a notch below what we experienced during the previous heatwave.

— Gilles MatriconA meteorologist for La Chaîne Météo tempers expectations about the current heatwave compared to the previous one.

This new heatwave comes on the heels of an exceptionally hot June. That period saw record-breaking average temperatures and the warmest nights ever recorded in France. The June heatwave is estimated to have caused thousands of excess deaths across Europe, including France, Spain, and Belgium. Climate scientists suggest that such a heat event in June would have been virtually impossible without the influence of climate change.

We are discovering deaths at home: after a historic heatwave, France fears a heavy human toll.

— Article Title ReferenceThis quote is referenced from another article, highlighting the severe human impact of the previous heatwave.

In addition to the health risks, the high temperatures and potential for strong winds in Mediterranean regions are raising concerns about an elevated risk of wildfires. Météo-France has classified seven departments in the south of France as being at "very high risk" of fires. A wildfire that began Saturday evening in the Pyrénées-Orientales had already burned approximately 1,300 hectares by Sunday morning but was reportedly no longer spreading freely.

strong winds risk leading to a high danger of forest fires

— Météo-FranceThe weather agency warns of the increased risk of wildfires due to high temperatures and winds.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Temps in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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